Miami, FL – Today, immigrant youth and allies from United We Dream, Immigrant Action Alliance, Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and the Family Action Network Movement (FANM) gathered outside the Florida ICE field office demanding the immediate release of all people in detention. At the gathering, immigrant youth leaders led a car rally around the facility and a press conference featuring speakers from UWD, FLIC, SPLC, FANM.
The event was part of the We Are Home campaign’s “EYES on ICE” truth and accountability efforts and will continue with similar actions against detention centers in Arizona and Oklahoma to present first-hand accounts of the cruelty, corruption, and suffering Black, brown and immigrant communities have and continue to face under ICE and CBP.
The livestream of the event can be found here. Photos from the event can also be found below. All credit to United We Dream.
Idalia Quinteros, Member of United We Dream, said:
“Black, brown and immigrant communities remain under constant threat at the hands of ICE and CBP, two agencies with a proven track record of abusing and killing those in our communities. The pain inflicted against people in ICE detention camps across the country, including those here in Florida, is inexcusable and has only been exacerbated by COVID-19. The Biden administration and Congress must do everything in their power to immediately release all people from detention and dramatically cut funding to these agencies to prevent further human rights abuses from occurring.”
Rebecca Talbot, Glades Lead of Immigrant Action Alliance, said:
“As we gather to expose the truth about immigration practices, we call for the immediate release of people like Franklin Mirtil, who is scheduled to be deported tomorrow even though his health deteriorated so much at Glades County Detention Center that he can hardly stand up. His family feels like ICE is letting him die. Please sign the petition to stop Franklin’s deportation and release him. ICE must be held accountable for endangering the lives of those in its custody.”
